Why Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Security Has Been Scaled Down

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has confirmed earlier speculations of changes on former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s security detail.

A number of security personnel attached to the former president have been ordered to report back to their command base for redeployment.

These changes are said to have affected close members of the immediate former first family.

According to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, Uhuru is entitled to two personal assistants, four secretaries, four messengers, four drivers and six bodyguards including press secretaries and security officers paid for by the State, with the aides being seconded by the government.

The security personnel were stationed at his urban and rural residence and will be regulated by the interior ministry

According to the act, in cases where a retired president entitled to the benefits conferred by this Act holds any appointive or elective post in government to which there is pay, the benefits to which he is entitled shall be reduced by the amount of such pay.

The plan to reduce Kenyatta’s security was announced a day after the former head of state seemed to attack his successor when he called on his fellow Azimio La Umoja leader Kalonzo Musyoka to focus on the task ahead and avoid confrontations.

"Steve, usijali hawa watu ambao wanapiga mdomo. Mtu ambaye hana kitu ya kufanya lazima apige mdomo. Hii ni dunia, sisi tunaendelea na yetu.” Said Kenyatta.

The move to scale down Kenyatta’s security has however evoked mixed reactions between President Ruto’s close allies and Azimio La Umoja leaders.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino sees the move by the government to withdraw the security personnel as a political game between former president Kenyatta and his successor president William Ruto to shortchange others politically.

“This NONSENSE of Uhuru and Ruto has started again. The duo shall not hoodwink us this time round. We are wiser. LONGEST CON. The CON is still ON. Uhuru wants Baba to confide in him as he confides in Ruto. Shameless.”

On the other hand, Nandi Senetor Samson Cherargei alleges that the former head of state had more than required security details contrary to what the law states

“Uhuru had over 120 GSU elite officers 24hrs as President not inclusive of his close family + his homes /property but under PRESIDENTIAL RETIREMENTS BENEFITS ACT 11 0f 2003(2012) he entitled to 6 police officers so nothing strange about downscaling the security it’s the LAW!”